Proportion
/prəˈpɔːrʃən/
Definitions
3 meaningsA relationship between things or parts of a whole, often expressed as a ratio or percentage.
/prəˈpɔːrʃən/
A part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole.
A large proportion of the city's population relies on public transportation.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a box of toys, and some are cars and some are dolls. The proportion tells you how many cars compared to the total toys, or how many dolls compared to the toys. It's like a part to the whole!
👶 For kids: How much of something you have compared to all of it.
More Examples
The report showed the proportion of male to female employees in the company.
The artist adjusted the proportions of the sculpture until it looked balanced.
How It's Used
"The proportion of students who passed the test was higher than expected."
"A large proportion of the city's budget is spent on education."
The harmonious or balanced relationship between different parts of a design or composition.
/prəˈpɔːrʃən/
The correct or pleasing relationship of the parts of a whole.
The artist carefully considered the proportions of the human figure.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're drawing a person. If their head is too big or their legs too small, that's bad proportions! This is like having things look good together.
👶 For kids: How things look good together.
More Examples
The architecture of the cathedral was admired for its perfect proportions.
The designer adjusted the proportions of the logo to make it more visually appealing.
How It's Used
"The proportions of the building were criticized for being awkward."
"She was admired for her elegant proportions."
To adjust or arrange something in correct relation or balance.
/prəˈpɔːrʃən/
To adjust the size or amount of (something) so that it is in the right relationship to other things.
The chef carefully proportioned the spices to the dish.
💡 Simply: When you 'proportion', you are adjusting one thing to go well with another. Think of how ingredients must be arranged and calculated in a recipe to make the cake taste great!
👶 For kids: To make things fit together.
More Examples
The company had to proportion its resources more carefully among its departments.
The team knew they had to proportion the workload to get the project done.
How It's Used
"You'll need to proportion the ingredients to create the desired effect."
"The economic measures must be proportioned to address the country's problems."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
out of proportion
Exceeding the proper or expected size, amount, or degree.
"The media coverage was completely out of proportion to the event."
in proportion to
In a relationship where the size, amount, or degree of one thing is related to another.
"The salary increases were in proportion to the employees' performance."
From Latin *proportio* ('a comparison of ratios'), from *pro* ('for, in favor of') + *portio* ('a part, share').
Used since the 15th century to describe a part or share of a whole, with the meaning of balanced relationships appearing later.
Memory tip
Think of a pie – a proportion is how much of that pie you get.
Word Origin
"A comparison of ratios, a part or share"